April knitting holiday in France

We have three guests at La Verderie this week for a knitting retreat, Imogen and Joan from the UK and Betina from Portugal (our first Portuguese guest!) After two weeks of glorious sunshine we are dodging April showers, but that hasn't stopped the knitting and crochet.

Betina knitting the Portuguese way

Betina has brought along a beautiful crochet shawl to work on and a pair of socks, which she knits the Portuguese way with the yarn around her neck, amazing to watch and gives a beautifully even tension.

patchwork bag project

Imogen is learning new knitting techniques, starting with a lace scarf, but has now opted to try a workshop project for a patchwork bag using different patterns and textures.

Joan's shawl

 Joan has brought along a lovely light shawl that she has just finished off and a Kim Hargreaves design (Nat), a fitted cardigan knitted in Rowan Big Wool, she is also like me trying to improve her crochet techniques.

the start of my crochet cushion cover

I am working on a crochet cushion cover in a mix of bright cottons from my stash.
On Thursday I picked up Imogen from the airport and we went into Bordeaux for a couple of hours while we waited for Betina's flight to arrive from Lisbon. After making the compulsory visit to yarn shop La Droguerie, we spent another hour in a wonderful book shop, then back to the airport and home.

chocolate shop in Cognac

the main square in Cognac

On Friday we hit the yarn shop in Cognac, then a wander through the town and a coffee in the square.

flower stall at St Jean d'Angely market

shopping in St Jean d'Angely

the old streets in St Jean

Saturday morning was a visit to the market in St Jean d'Angely then home for an afternoon of knitting and crochet.

Betina with her new yarn bowl

Culli has been busy making yarn bowls, Betina has bought a cherry one and Joan has gone for an elm one.
Sunday's forecast was wet and windy, Imogen came with me for an early morning walk with the dogs and we got soaked to the skin. Everyone opted for a day at home so we had a short beading workshop and spent a relaxing day, chatting with our projects.